At a Glance was to receive a massive expansion for the lock screen, which Google had already worked out extensively. Today, leaks show what unfortunately didn’t happen and probably never will.
Google has been working for years for Android, web search and various other products to offer the user as many options as possible via the shortest possible route.
Or knowledge, smart home functions – depending on which product it is. A much more comprehensive lock screen for Android had already been developed, but then discarded before Android 11. Screenshots now show more.
Smartspace: Codename for enhanced At a Glance
Some interesting graphics have been leaked to Android Authority. They show an Android lock screen that has a lot more to offer. Colleagues called it At a Glance on steroids. Basically, it was a massive expansion of the widget, which today primarily provides information about the weather, date, appointments, etc.
The more comprehensive widget for the lock screen shows the current location, time of day and other factors, which could be interesting for the respective context of the user. So Good Night would appear in the evening and, with one tap, would allow you to turn off your lights, set an alarm, and turn on bedtime music.
Smartspace: context-related content directly in the always-on display
With headphones connected, the widget would offer you a music selection. If you are near a train station, you will see the next departure times. And in a shop, you will be presented with your shopping list, current offers and your customer card. All right on the lock screen and just a tap away.
At a Glance, on the lock screen, today just slimmed down
The examples show what was behind this idea. But it never got beyond that, not even into a prototype phase. The background could be that there was far too much sensitive data for the lock screen that a foreign user would have seen just by looking at the screen. This is probably confirmed by the fact that At a Glance is currently being expanded for the start screen in a similar way, but is only visible after unlocking.
Today, Google has integrated similar functions in various places. On the home screen, in Snapshot of the Assistant app, when the Pixel phone is in Pixel Stand, and so on. But the real Google Now successor never came. Still, At a Glance on the home screen can at least go in the right direction, which Google is definitely working on at the moment as well.